Geologist-Hydrogeologist: In PFAS-Polyfluoroalkyl, Hazardous Waste Water, Remediation Assessments and SME Expert

Expertise

• Principal Hydrogeologist and program Technology Manager in the Federal and Environmental Services (F&ES) Business Group with 33 years of experience of hazardous in waste water, environmental investigation and remediation.
• Proposing and execute DOD performance-based remediation projects.
• Remediation approaches and strategy, evaluate historical and recent data for hundreds of sites at dozens of facilities towards assessing remedial progress, defining appropriate objectives, evaluating technology options, and recommending optimized exit strategies.
• Determines site closures, plan efficient long-term monitoring, operation and maintenance of remediation systems.
• Assess technical solutions, controlling life cycle costs, and reducing environmental liabilities at industrial facilities.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the usage, occurrence, regulation, and remediation of 1,4-dioxane and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
• Focus to contaminant Initiatives and community of practice.
• Direct teams of professionals in the identification, prioritization, and management of ECs (Environmental Contaminants), such as 1,4-dioxane, per- and polyfluorinated compounds, 1,2,3-trichloropropane, perchlorate, NDMA, hexavalent chromium and other critical emerging pollutants.
• Acting on occurrence and remediation of 1,4-dioxane and per- and PFAS (Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), having addressed these emerging contaminants at 100’s of sites, published articles on the subject and chaired sessions at international conferences.

Expert Witness

• Principal Hydrogeologist
• Emerging Contaminants Lead/SME
• Professional Registrations

Subject Matter Expert - Projects

• Review site history and activities to assess potential for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) usage and release at a former industrial facility.
• Assess potential for PFAS usage and release at a former industrial facility and associated landfill.
• Advise project team on PFAS investigation strategy following a fire and subsequent AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Form) application at a chemical manufacturing facility.
• Evaluation of PFAS treatment technologies as the Owner’s Engineer for water supply impacted with PFAS at the Dublin Airport.
• International Oil Company, New Zealand:  For one of the oil and gas “majors”, advised project team on PFAS treatment options to mitigate migration into a nearby surface-water body.
• Advise project team on sampling protocols and investigation strategy for former industrial site with PFAS impacts to groundwater.
• Review site history and AFFF usage at electrical power generation plant for possible PFAS release locations evaluation of PFAS treatment technologies as the Owner’s Engineer for water supply impacted with PFAS.
• PFAS investigation strategy following a fire and subsequent AFFF application at a chemical manufacturing facility.
• Advise project team on PFAS fate and transport and chemistry, as well as characterization approaches and analytical methods for PFAS at an impacted manufacturing site.
• Selection and design of thermal remediation technology for the site, which included chlorinated VOCs and 1,4-dioxane in soil and groundwater.
• Advise project team on PFAS and 1,4-dioxane usage and possible release from manufacturing facility. Context was that they were about to install a large-scale air sparging system and implement enhanced reductive dichlorination for co contaminants and needed to understand whether the presence of PFAS or DX could impact those systems, or have any effectiveness.
• 1,4-Dioxane Proposed Plan Review, North Jersey District Water Supply Commission.  Review U.S. EPA-written Proposed Plan for the Ringwood Mines Superfund Site, which is impacted by benzene and 1,4-dioxane. Our client operates a downgradient water treatment plant serving 3 million people and review was to assess potential impacts on that water supply system.
• Review site history and activities to assess potential for PFAS usage and release, and advise project team on investigative approach for an active international airport.
• Oil and gas “majors”, advised project team on the analytical methods required, PFAS mobility, and investigation strategy. PFAS analytical capabilities were not available in country.
• Supported evaluation of labs in Australia and other nations in the region to identify ones capable of analyzing with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy as required to resolve the various PFAS at the low reporting limits required.  Advised on characterization strategy and remedial technology assessment.
• Lead project team on the history and usage, fate and transport, and characterization approaches for PFAS at a metal plating shop in a combined industrial/ residential area.
• 1,4-Dioxane and PFAS Characterization, U.S. EPA Superfund Program, Michigan:  Advise project team on the history and usage, fate and transport, and characterization approaches for 1,4-dioxane and PFAS at a metal plating shop in a combined industrial/ residential area. Data evaluation included fingerprinting using ratios of different perfluorinated compounds for the assessment of multiple potential source areas.  
• Railroad (UPRR); Various Sites, UPRR; 2015-present. In consultation with Program Manager, support and direct project teams, oversee investigation and remediation projects and review proposals. Review project technical performance make staff recommendations and assignments and review technical approaches and remedial technologies under the >$10 million annual program involving dozens of sites.  Advise Program Manager in risk identification, mitigation measures and addressing contingencies, as well as opportunities for successful and efficient project execution.
• 1,4-Dioxane Natural Attenuation Assessment; Fortune 100 Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, Kalamazoo, Michigan:  Brought in by client to provide technical expertise on 1,4-dioxane fate and transport and assessment of intrinsic biodegradation evidence provided by UCLA. Advised lead consultant on sampling approach, evaluation strategy, and data interpretation.  Results led to publication of a peer-reviewed journal article.
• Emerging Contaminants Assessment Tool of a Fortune 500 Manufacturer: Create questionnaire, worksheet to assist facility managers in evaluating their likelihood of having perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) or 1,4-dioxane present at their facilities. Tool builds on previously prepared decision trees and other publications looking at usage, history, occurrence, and fate and transport of these recalcitrant compounds.  
• Gillette and Bulk Sites: Advise client and project team on remediation technologies for 1,4-dioxane at site under state-led regulatory program. Specific issues included co-mingling of plume with other adjacent, unrelated plumes, and migration of the plume into a neighborhood with residential wells. 

Experience

Independent Consultant, Present

• Professional Geologist and expert in the occurrence and remediation assessing 1,4-dioxane occurrence, usage and identification, prioritization, and management of ECs, such as 1,4-dioxane, per- and polyfluorinated compounds, 1,2,3-trichloropropane, perchlorate, NDMA, hexavalent chromium and other critical emerging pollutants.

Projects

Union Pacific Railroad

• Niles Crist, Fremont, California: Advise project team on investigation and remediation of 900-foot-deep MTBE plume in the drinking water aquifer impacted by faulting and municipal wellfield pumping.  
• Grain Handling Facility at Freeman, Washington: Advise project team on characterization, hydrogeology, and contaminant migration factors for a carbon tetrachloride plume emanating from a grain handling facility due to fumigant usage in the past.
• Train Derailment, Mosier, Oregon: Advise project team on remediation planning, remedial design, installation and operation of a bio sparge system for crude oil released from the derailment of multiple train cars adjacent to the Columbia River.
• National Solvents Site, Grand Island, Nebraska: Advise project team on groundwater remediation program for chlorinated VOC plume in source area and extending a mile downgradient along a river and into a residential area. Advised team on remedial technology evaluation, including in situ bioremediation, in situ chemical oxidation with slow-release potassium permanganate candles, and use of agricultural extraction wells and aeration for treatment of the distal portion of the plume.  
• Vulcan Chemicals Site Monitoring and Remedial Action, Wyoming: Advise project execution team on remedy implementation and monitoring for perchloroethylene plume in active rail yard migrating from beneath active turntable toward residential area adjacent to the site. 
• Technologies applied include groundwater extraction with ex situ treatment and slurry wall to mitigate migration from turntable source area.
• Chicago Pacific Site, Riverton, Wyoming: Advise project execution team on remedy identification, selection, and implementation for zinc and petroleum hydrocarbon contamination of shallow soil and groundwater in a residential area. 
• Remedial actions considered include soil capping and excavation/disposal for impacted soil from around homes.
• For groundwater, natural attenuation with contingent remedies such as bio sparging and in situ biostimulation are being evaluated.

 Geologist

• North Penn 12; Schlumberger; Philadelphia: Provided technical strategy consulting to the project team remediating chlorinated VOCs and 1,4-dioxane in groundwater at this site.
• A groundwater recirculation project, with potassium- and sodium- permanganate oxidant addition, was performed in the fractured bedrock site. Provided remediation planning, regulatory advising, and mobility consulting related to 1,4-dioxane. 

Senior Hydrogeologist

• Well Vulnerability Assessment; Suncor; Colorado: Hydrogeology support assessing vulnerability of drinking water wells, both municipal and private, to potential future releases from a proposed crude oil pipeline from Commerce City, Colorado to Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Government and National Projects

PFAS (Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)

• Preliminary Assessment, Santa Susanna Field Laboratory, NASA, California: Review site history and chemical usage at NASA research laboratory and rocket testing facility for Preliminary Assessment (PA) and Site Inspection (SI) at the request of California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).
• Remedial Investigation (RI), King Salmon Air Station, Alaska: Review site geology and advise project team on PFAS investigation strategy.
• Site Inspection (SI), King Salmon Air Station, Alaska: Review site geology and advise project team on PFAS SI sampling strategy.
• Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS), Former Fort Devens Army Post, Massachusetts: Assisted project team in planning and executing robust RI activities across this former Army Post. Assessment of data included forensic evaluation (aka fingerprinting) of PFAS data to distinguish between potential eras and locations of PFAS releases to the environment.
• Treatability Testing for 1,4-Dioxane in Groundwater, Arnold AFB, Tennessee: AFCEC. Technical advisor for testing potential remediation technologies for 1,4 dioxane in groundwater at multiple sites at an Air Force Base.  Includes bench scale testing and field pilot studies of ex situ sorption, ex situ oxidation and ex situ biostimulation of 1,4-dioxane, as well as the production of focused Corrective Measures Studies.  
• Naval Base Ventura County-Point Mugu, California: Advise project team on sampling strategy, potential sources, and technical approach for investigation of several potential AFFF release locations at an operating Naval Base.
• Wiesbaden AFB, Wiesbaden Germany: Advise project team on sampling protocols and approach for investigation of several potential AFFF release locations at an operating airbase, as well as hydrogeological assessment of PFAS fate mobility.
• RAAF Amberley, Queensland, Australia Detailed Site Investigation (DSI): Advise project team on investigation strategy, sampling protocols, and analytical methods for investigation of several potential AFFF release locations at an operating base.  Review analytical and geological data, draft portions of reports, and review entire DSI report as well as Defense comments and responses.
• Water Vulnerability Assessment, Multiple Installations, Canadian Department of National Defense: Advise project team on evaluation strategy to assess potential PFAS impacts to drinking water supplies at multiple present and former Defense installations.
• Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney Australia: Advise project team on investigation strategy, sampling protocols, and analytical methods for investigation of several potential AFFF release locations at an operating base.
• U.S. Air Force/U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, Multiple Bases, Various locations (Hawaii, Alaska): Advise project team and Small-Business Prime in the history and usage, fate and transport, and characterization approaches for PFAS at multiple U.S. Air Force installations from the use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF).  
• Investigations at Multiple Facilities; Federal Aviation Administration, Various locations: Advise project team in the history and usage, fate and transport, and characterization approaches for PFAS at multiple FAA installations from the use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF).  
• Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fentress, U.S. Navy: Advise project team in characterization and remediation of PFAS in installation drinking water and wastewater, as well as adjacent residential water supplies. Evaluated existing water treatment system, assessed treatment retrofit options and supported bench-scale testing of a variety of granular activated carbon products towards identifying the optimal commercial product for removal of the six UCMR3 perfluorinated compounds (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFBA, and PFHpA).  In addition, evaluated off-the-shelf under-sink water treatment systems using carbon and zeolites for potential usage in the nearly 100 nearby residences potentially impacted from discharge of wastewater impacted with AFFF.
• PFAS and 1,4-Dioxane RI/FS, Joint Base Cape Cod; AFCEC; Cape Cod, MA. Advise project team on groundwater investigation and analytical methods related to 1,4-dioxane and perfluorinated compounds in groundwater under 4P08 contract.  Provide guidance on fate and transport, anticipated extent of impacts, and possible sample interferences leading to false positives.  Summarized appropriate remedial technologies and consulted on the probable efficacy of existing treatment systems, including treatment of emerging contaminants in off-site residential wells. Advised on human health and ecological risk evaluations.  
• Wide AFFF Response; Various Sites; AFCEC: Provide technical expertise and guidance to project team performing Preliminary Assessments (PAs) of perfluorinated compound (PFC) impacts from aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) at 82 U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard installations.  PAs involved preliminary interviews at the Command level, document review and research into the Air Force’s usage history of AFFF.  Site visits were conducted, involving interviews with Base personnel, including Fire Chief and environmental staff, review of aerial photographs, documents, drawings, and emergency response reports to identify locations with possible usage of AFFF.
• Lead Technical Reviewer; PFAS Assessment and Investigation, Multiple Air Force Bases, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska Engineering District; Alaska: Provide high-level advice and review of strategy and concepts towards investigation of over 70 potential AFFF release locations at major bases in Alaska, including Eielson AFB, Clear AFS, King Salmon AFS and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.  Sampling is being performed for all potentially impacted media including soil, groundwater, surface water and sediment, risks to human health and ecological receptors will be evaluated, and remedial technologies will be evaluated to address impacts.
• Subject Matter Expert; Enterprise-Wide AFFF Response; Various Sites; Australian Department of Defense. Provide technical expertise and guidance to project team performing desktop evaluation of possible perfluorinated compound (PFC) impacts from the use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) at 86 Department of Defense installations.  Desktop evaluations involved document review and research into Defense’s usage history of AFFF.  The team conducted interviews with Base personnel, including Fire Chief and environmental staff, reviewed aerial photographs, documents, drawings, and emergency response reports to identify locations with possible usage of AFFF.
• Subject Matter Expert; Various Sites; U.S. Navy. Advise project teams on 1,4-dioxane and perfluorinated compound (PFC) history and usage, review chromium plating operations, and prepared summary information for presentation to U.S. Navy and U.S. EPA suggesting likelihood of occurrence at sites.  Advised on approaches and potential equipment interferences related to perfluorinated compound (PFC) sampling.  Provided guidance in the preparation of Sampling SOPs for PFC sampling, and reviewed final document.  Sites addressing PFCs in some capacity included Camp Lejeune, Patuxent River, Naval Base Ventura County/Point Mugu, St. Juliens Creek Annex, Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Naval Activity Puerto Rico, Washington Navy Yard, Naval Air Station Oceana, Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fentress, and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek.
• Program Technology Manager, U.S. Department of Defense High-Risk Program; Various Sites, Various DOD Clients. Direct Senior Technical Consultants and Leader Technical Reviewers overseeing performance-based remediation projects and proposals.  Generate staff assignments, review technical approaches and remedial technologies under the several hundred-million-dollar programs involving hundreds of sites.  Advise Program Manager and Business Group senior management in contracting details including milestones, performance metrics, risk identification, mitigation measures and addressing contingencies, as well as opportunities for successful and efficient project execution.
• Senior Technical Consultant; Tinker AFB PBR, AFCEC; Oklahoma. Advise on $26 million Performance-Based Remediation program involving 16 soil and groundwater sites. Advise project execution team on appropriate remedy application, performance metrics, and review all technical deliverables for compliance with regulatory programs and PBR contract requirements.  Attend meetings with Air Force, Oklahoma DEQ, and U.S. EPA to resolve outstanding issues, negotiate approvals, and generally problem solve.
• Lead Technical Reviewer; Beale AFB PBR; AFCEC; Sacramento, CA. Advise on $37 million Performance-Based Remediation program involving 34 soil and groundwater sites.  Advise project execution team on appropriate remedy application, performance metrics, and review all technical deliverables for compliance with regulatory programs and PBR contract requirements.  
• Subject Matter Expert; Hill AFB PBR; AFCEC; Salt Lake City. Advise project team on groundwater remediation technologies appropriate for a mixed 1,4-dioxane and chlorinated VOC plume under a performance-based contract.  Technologies evaluated include anaerobic and aerobic bioremediation, slurry wall, in situ chemical oxidation, and groundwater extraction and ex situ treatment.  
• Technical Reviewer; Robins AFB PBR, AFCEC; Warner-Robins, GA. Technical reviewer and advisor on $23 million Performance-Based Remediation program involving 10 soil and groundwater sites.  Assist project team, meet with prime contractor to resolve issues, review and optimize quality control procedures.
• Technical Reviewer; ANG-Cheyenne PBR, WY. Review technical approaches for addressing TCE and hexavalent chromium plumes under a performance-based contract.  Remedies applied include large diameter auger-emplaced zero-valent iron barriers to stop off-site migration of chlorinated VOCs, and chemical reduction with calcium polysulfide for hexavalent chromium treatment in a source area.
• Technical Reviewer; ANG-Savannah PBR, GA. Review technical information and assist project team in evaluation of groundwater data and remedial performance metrics for addressing TCE plume under a performance-based contract.  
• Subject Matter Expert; Washington Navy Yard; U.S. Navy; Alexandria, VA. Advise project team on perfluorinated compound (PFC) history and usage, review chromium plating operations, and prepared summary information for presentation to U.S. Navy and U.S. EPA suggesting low likelihood of PFC occurrence at site.  Advised on approaches and potential equipment interferences related to perfluorinated compound (PFC) sampling.  Directed project team in using appropriate methodologies and materials to reduce or eliminate interference from sampling equipment construction materials.  Provided guidance in the preparation of Sampling SOPs for PFC sampling, and reviewed final document.
• Subject Matter Expert; Naval Station Norfolk; U.S. Navy; Norfolk, VA. Advise project team on perfluorinated compound (PFC) history and usage, probable regulatory drivers, and analytical methods.  Advised on approaches and potential equipment interferences related sampling of emerging contaminants, including 1,4-dioxane and PFCs.

Other Projects Areas

• CERCLA Programs, Remedial Investigation (RI) Feasibility Study (FS) and Remedial Actions
• RCRA Programs: RCRA Facility Investigations (RFIs) and Corrective Action Plans (CAPs)
• Environmental Investigation/Remediation Programs
• Compliance Programs
• Underground - Aboveground Storage Tank Programs 
• Environmental Site Assessments and Phase I & II Audits
• Research and Collaboration

Honors & Publications

Credentials 

• Professional Geologist Registered in: Virginia, Wyoming and Arizona
• 1,4-Dioxane Treatment Technologies (Instructor), SAME
• 1,4-Dioxane Treatment Technologies (Instructor), Groundwater Resources Association
• Battelle Short Course: ITRC Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), (Instructor)
• Multiple Emerging Contaminants Workshops for U.S. DOD, (Instructor)
• DOD Emerging Contaminant Programs: Prioritization, Investigation, and Remediation Instructor, SAME
• 1,4-Dioxane and Urban Runoff as a Potential Source of Emerging Contaminants
• Emerging Contaminants: Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs)
• Battelle Groundwater Remediation at Complex Sites: Alternative Endpoints and Strategies
• ITRC Enhanced Attenuation
• Battelle Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvents
• ITRC Passive Sampling Techniques
• ITRC In situ Chemical Oxidation
• Fundamentals of Sonic Drilling
• Environmental Concerns in the Sale and Redevelopment of Property in Colorado
• Battelle Short Course: Remedial Process Optimization/Site Closure (Instructor)
• EPA Environmental Justice Workshop
• Introduction to Phytoremediation Applications and Techniques
• Workshop: Virginia’s Brownfields Program
• Geological Society of America Short Course: Innovative Techniques: Shallow Soil and Groundwater Investigation (Instructor)
• Introduction to Horizontal Environmental Wells
• Developing Cleanup Standards: Contaminated Soil, Sediment and Groundwater
• Site Planner Environmental Data Management System Training
• Groundwater Flow and Well Hydraulics
• Migration, Assessment and Remediation of Nonaqueous Phase Liquids
• Subsurface Investigation/Remediation of Hazardous Waste Contaminated Sites
• Air Pathway Analysis for Superfund

Academic and Professional Affiliations

• Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), Environmental Committee
• Network for Industrially Contaminated Lands in Europe (NICOLE), Emerging Issues Workgroup
• Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC), PFAS Team
• AWMA PFAS Conference Research
• EC Summit Session Chair, PFAS Sorption
• SAME JETC PFAS Session Chair
• SAME Denver Metro Post, Panel speaker: Current Developments on PFAS
• RemTec 2019, PFAS Session Co-Chair
• Session Keynote Speaker on PFAS, ALGA EcoForum, Australia
• 1,4-Dioxane and Other Emerging Contaminants Session Co-Chair, Battelle
• Emerging Contaminants Luncheon Keynote Speaker, AEHS
• Innovative Treatment Technologies Panel moderator, Emerging Contaminants
• Amendment Session Co-Chair, RemTec
• PFAS Characterization Session Co-Chair, Battelle
• Emerging Contaminants Panel, Organizer and Panelist, Alaska Environmental Forum
• Other Emerging Contaminants Session Co-Chair, Battelle
• Management of Emerging Contaminants:  Perspectives on Approach, Impact, and Decision-making Panel Organizer, Battelle
• Potential implications of a changing regulatory environment: Who moved my compliance target
• 1,4-Dioxane Session Chair, GRA Emerging Contaminants Symposium
• Remediation of Nitrates in Soil and Groundwater Session Chair, Battelle 2010, Monterey, California.
• Clean Up Session Chair, NDIA Env., Energy & Sustainability Symposium & Exhibition, Denver, Colorado.
• Remediation of Subsurface Contamination in Arid and Semiarid Environments: Impact on Water Resource Sustainability Session Co-Chair, NGWA Groundwater Summit 2009, Tucson, Arizona.
• Emerging Contaminants Session Co-Chair, Battelle 2008, Monterey, California.
• 1,4-Dioxane: Biodegradation and Other Tmt. Approaches Session Co-Chair

Awards

• Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) Industry Affiliates Program Member of the Year
• Environmental Business International, Technology Award
• CEO Excellence Award for Subgrade Biogeochemical Reactor technical team
• Network for Industrially Contaminated Lands in Europe (NICOLE), Technology Award
• Earth Tech President's Silver Award for Technical Excellence for Environmental Technical Papers

Publications

Author and Co-Author of over (32) Publications 

• Peer reviewed journals
• Collegiate textbooks
• Course synopsis builder
• Symposiums

Education

• M.S. Geology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
• B.S. Geology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA